Mechatronic Approaches to Synthesize Biomimetic Flapping-Wing Mechanisms: A Review

Conventional electromechanical actuators cannot independently produce flapping-wing motion and typically require complimentary mechanical transmission mechanisms to achieve that motion. Hence, the selection and design of electromechanical actuators need to be considered in parallel with the selection and design of mechanical transmission mechanisms. The article presents a review on the mechatronics-based flapping-wing mechanisms applicable to micro air vehicles, which have been reported so far in the literature to the best of authors’ knowledge. The contribution of this review explicitly illustrates a design-map showing all the possible mechatronic methods to synthesize flapping-wing mechanisms, highlighting both attempted approaches in literature and unattempted approaches, which can be investigated in the upcoming time. The comparative discussion highlights both the capabilities and design-trade-offs of all the approaches to produce flapping-wing motion in their own way. The research gap recognized by the design-map presents the scope of future investigation in this domain.